PRINCE CHARLES was known for his turbulent marriage with Princess Diana but a royal biography reveals he did attempt to woo another woman in an effort to take her hand in marriage first, called Amanda Knatchbull.

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Charles was determined to find the perfect royal wife before he turned 30, and regularly turned to his ‘honorary grandfather’ Lord Louis Mountbatten for guidance.With a sense of duty instilled in him by the Royal Family and particularly his parents, Charles was keen to find a woman who matched his interests but would be content with the demands of royal life.Lord Mountbatten, the heir’s great-uncle, suggested the Prince of Wales pursued Amanda Knatchbull, who was ten years Charles’ junior.

The biographer concluded: “She was indeed a very sensible and loving girl, who genuinely did share all the same interests as the heir to the throne.”

The Prince of Wales’ likeness to her grandfather also helped their relationship bloom, so Charles and Ms Knatchbull saw each other frequently between 1974 and 1979.

They even arranged to go to India with Lord Mountbatten at one point, but were put off at the idea that could expose their relationship before they were ready.

Mr Hodgson explained that Lord Mountbatten’s daughter Patricia agreed with her husband John Bradbourne — if Ms Knatchbull were to join Charles in India, either an engagement announcement would be needed immediately or he would have to publicly reject any idea of a relationship between the two.

Anna Wallace, a Scottish heiress, may have been briefly considered as a suitor for Charles (Image: Getty)

Yet, Ms Knatchbull was concerned about the loss of independence and self-control that comes with joining the Firm, and so was not willing to take on “what she imagined to be one of the worst jobs in the world”.

Charles was disappointed that she turned him down, but reportedly expected it.

Instead, he went on to court Anna Wallace, a Scottish heiress, who was dubbed Whiplash Wallace for her sharp tongue — some believe she also declined a marriage invitation for the same reasons as Ms Knatchbull.

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However, there are inconsistent reports over whether Charles ever asked for her hand in marriage.

Either way, he was single when romance began to blossom between him and Lady Diana Spencer in 1980.

They wed in 1981, while Lord Mountbatten’s granddaughter went on to become Lady Amanda Ellingworth and turned her focus to social work.